VASCO: The Mormugao Municipal Council recovered over Rs 2.30 lakh from shop owners who had set up their stalls for Vasco Saptah without obtaining licenses. The civic body took action on Friday evening and although the move was praised by many, some pointed out the need for similar action against bigger shops too.
Before putting up temporary stalls for the Saptah fair, the shop owners have to pay the civic body for the space allotted to them and Rs 1,000 for collecting up garbage. Only then the temporary licenses are granted to the shop keepers. However, some vendors put up their shops on footpaths, road dividers and other areas without paying the respective amount.
MMC Chairperson Girish Borkar, Chief Officer Jayant Tari, Municipal Market Committee Chairman Prajay Mayekar, Councilor Narayan Borkar, accounts and taxation officer Uday Vadkar and municipal inspector were part of the team that initiated the drive. Citizens have applauded civic body's decision and stated the need for more such drives.
“The Municipal Council should find out the shop keepers who have occupied more space than they were allotted. The municipal staff had also directed some of the shopkeepers to remove the shops but they did not comply with the order. The civic body should take action against them as well,” said one of the locals.